A centre-right to far-right majority is poised to back the EU’s controversial returns regulation in the European Parliament, overriding the liberal rapporteur, according to three parliamentary sources familiar with the negotiations.

The file sits at the heart of Ursula von der Leyen’s new migration agenda, and it introduces the concept of so-called “return hubs” – facilities outside the EU where migrants with rejected asylum claims could be transferred.

Ahead of a vote on Monday, the European People’s Party’s shadow rapporteur François-Xavier Bellamy has moved to align with right-wing groups, tabling a compromise text endorsed by the European Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations, according to three parliamentary sources and an email seen by Euractiv.

The alternative compromise introduces stricter obligations for migrants to cooperate with authorities, expands the scope for detention, and retains the concept of return hubs.

The shift risks sidelining the file’s liberal rapporteur Malik Azmani, from the Renew group, who had sought to broker a broader pro-European majority groups deal in the past months.

Negotiations have already been rocky. The file has faced repeated delays over the past year, and tensions flared again this week when a scheduled meeting of shadow rapporteurs on Wednesday was abruptly cancelled, the latest setback for legislation already slipping behind schedule.

Bellamy was contacted for comment.

Left-leaning groups have sharply criticised the proposal. More than 70 civil society organisations have called for the EU to halt the regulation entirely, warning that vague provisions could give national authorities sweeping powers to expand immigration raids and accelerate deportations.

The debate comes amid a broader rightward shift in Parliament on migration. In Strasbourg last month, lawmakers approved tough new asylum measures with support from a centre-right to far-right coalition.

An extraordinary committee meeting is now scheduled for Monday to vote on the dossier.

(jp)